The Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga announced a $750,000 gift from the Esler Family, the largest gift in the organization\u2019s history, for its $1.3 million capital campaign. The gift brings the campaign total to $1.05 million and will support the Esler Family Room and other changes intended to serve children, families, educators and community partners.<\/p>\n
The museum relocated to the Lincoln Baths in 2021 and has expanded exhibits and programs. Recent projects include an interactive train station in the lobby, a universally accessible playground and an outdoor learning space.<\/p>\n
The campaign will fund an Adirondack-inspired Esler Family Room and allow the museum to reconfigure space for staff and operations. The museum said its staff has grown from five to 18 employees over the past five years as visitation, programming and community engagement increased.<\/p>\n
The Esler Family Room will be used for field trips, hands-on learning and museum programs. It also will provide a lunch area for visiting school groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis gift represents an investment in the future of the Museum and the families we serve,\u201d said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of the Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga. \u201cAs our programs and attendance continue to grow, so does the need for spaces that support meaningful learning experiences. The Esler Family’s generosity allows us to create an exciting new environment for children while ensuring we have the resources and infrastructure necessary to continue serving our community for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga represents everything we believe learning should be; joyful, curious, hands-on, and accessible,\u201d said Matt Esler, CEO of Esler Companies, and more importantly \u201cGrandpa.\u201d \u201cThis commitment is about investing in a place that sparks imagination and confidence in children, not just for today, but for generations to come. We\u2019re proud to support an organization that has such a meaningful and lasting impact on families throughout Saratoga County and far beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Esler Family has been museum members for three years.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span>\u201cAs grandparents and members of the Saratoga Community, we\u2019ve watched the Museum grow and evolve, and we\u2019ve seen the way it brings families together across generations,\u201d said Kristen Esler, Founder of the Thirty Year Farm and of course \u201cGrandma.\u201d \u201cWhether it\u2019s a child\u2019s first visit, a school field trip, or a grandparent sharing a special day with their grandchild, the Museum creates memories while building foundational skills. Supporting this expansion felt like a natural extension of our belief in the power of play and its ability to shape confident, curious learners.\u201d<\/p>\n The project is intended to improve the visitor experience, support educational programs and help the museum continue serving children. Admission details, memberships and hours are available at https:\/\/cmssny.org\/ or at the museum, 65 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs.<\/p>\n About The Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga (CMAS). The Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on interactive learning, parent involvement, service to regional school districts and access for all children. More information is available at https:\/\/cmssny.org.<\/p>\n Provided by The Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga; edited for style and length.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Children\u2019s Museum at Saratoga announced a $750,000 gift from the Esler Family, the largest gift in the organization\u2019s history, for its $1.3 million capital campaign. The gift brings the campaign total to $1.05 million and will support the Esler Family Room and other changes intended to serve children, families, educators and community partners. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"\r\n